A missionary in Africa made a great effort to convert... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2023

Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4.

A missionary in Africa made a great effort to convert an elderly tribal chief to Christianity. However, the preacher did not know his Bible too well. In his opinion the Christian dogma of faith consisted to a great extent in prohibitions that he endeavoured to put across to the aged chief.
The old man listened patiently. Finally he said, “You are telling me that I must not take my neighbour’s wife.” – “Right!” said the missionary. – “Nor his ivory, nor his oxen?”- “Quite right.” – “And I mustn’t do a war dance and then attack him and kill him?” – That is absolutely correct.” – “But I can’t do these things anyway,” the chief said regretfully, “I’m too old. Being old and being a Christian seem to be the same thing.”

God’s standards and commandments are indeed valid eternally. Yet this account leaves a bitter aftertaste. A one-sided sermon can lead to misunderstanding. The life of faith is presented as something old, boring and lacking any joy. It is as if the Bible were the enemy of true life, and only for someone opposed to love and joy. Unconsciously one imagines God to be like a lady who told the nanny: “Go and see what the boy is doing, and see that he stops!”

God’s message to us is completely different! Today’s verse makes that clear: Christians are called to freedom and joy. They have every reason to be joyful. Formerly they knew that sin makes one unhappy; now they know where real joy can be found.

Today’s reading: Amos 4:1-13 · Proverbs 23:13-25